Changing your salary account often feels like a small administrative update. A few clicks, a new debit card, and you move on. But there’s one detail many people miss — and it can quietly create problems when you least expect it.
If your new bank account isn’t updated with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), your PF withdrawal can hit a roadblock. And most people only realise this when they urgently need their money.
YOUR PF BANK DETAILS DON’T CHANGE ON THEIR OWN
When you switch jobs or banks, your employer may update payroll records. But your EPF account works separately. The bank details linked to your Universal Account Number (UAN) stay the same unless you change them yourself.
If that linked account is closed or inactive, any PF withdrawal claim can fail. The payment may bounce back, forcing you to restart the process. This can be frustrating, especially if you are withdrawing funds after leaving a job or during an emergency.
WHAT TO CHECK BEFORE MAKING ANY UPDATE
The first step is simple. Log in to the EPFO Member e-Sewa portal and review the bank account connected to your UAN.
While checking, make sure your Aadhaar and PAN are verified and perfectly match your bank records. Even a small spelling difference can cause rejection. If there is any mismatch, correct it first. Otherwise, the system may not accept your update request.
HOW TO CHANGE YOUR BANK ACCOUNT IN EPFO
Inside the portal, go to the Manage section and select KYC. This is where your bank details appear. Add your new account number and IFSC code carefully. Most delays happen because of simple typing errors.
You may need to upload a clear image of a cancelled cheque. After submission, the request goes to your employer for approval. Many employees are unaware of this step. If approval takes time, it helps to follow up with HR or payroll instead of waiting.
This approval requirement also answers a common question people ask: you usually cannot complete a bank update without employer validation. Until HR approves it, the change remains incomplete.
WHY THIS SMALL STEP MATTERS
Incorrect bank details can lead to rejected claims. If that happens, you must correct the information and apply again, which adds stress and delays.
Updating your account when there is no urgency is far easier than scrambling to fix it when you need funds quickly. Think of it as preventive maintenance for your finances.
Another point people often wonder about is whether they can link multiple accounts. EPFO allows only one active bank account under a UAN at any time. Your UAN itself remains the same throughout your career. So if your salary account changes with a new employer, you should update the details under the existing UAN to avoid delays.
Simply put, whenever your salary account changes, updating EPFO should become part of your routine checklist. It takes a few minutes but can prevent weeks of inconvenience when you actually need your provident fund.
